By Dr Kiran Godse, Dermatology & Cosmetology, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi-A Fortis Network Hospital
If you plan to celebrate the festival of colours, popularly known as Holi, you need to do some skin prep. The tanning caused by the harsh sun and the colours may damage your skin, but there’s a routine you can follow to ensure your skin stays hydrated and cool all through the festival. Ahead are some tips that you should keep in mind before you step out for a Holi celebration.
- Before you step out with colours, it is necessary to protect your skin & hair with some oil. The oil should be non-comedogenic so that even if slathered with colours, the oil will help you remove them without any possible stains. Don’t use too much – just enough to coat the skin and hair
- It is better to keep your nails trimmed and clean to avoid colour residues
- If one is going to be out in the sun for long, applying sunscreen on the exposed parts is essential to prevent tanning. Choosing a water and sweat resistant sunscreen would be wise to optimize the benefits
- Keep your hair oiled & tied or covered with a scarf/ cap before venturing out for your Holi celebration
- Apply petroleum jelly on your lips, harsh colors and overexposure to the sun can cause damage to the lips
- It would be good if one wears clothing that fully covers you, to protect the skin as much as possible from the colors, dust, and the harsh sun
- One should avoid usage of exfoliants or chemical peels, and therapies such as threading, waxing, bleaching, and laser treatment on the skin at least 4-5 days prior, as these make the skin sensitive, and the chances of irritation are much higher
Getting rid of colors after Holi can be a daunting task. But it is best to get off all the colours and have a refreshing bath before you decide to sleep or rest after Holi celebrations. Ahead are some tips that you can keep in mind:
- After Holi celebrations, it is better to not wait for long and immediately rush for a shower to prevent any tough stains
- Cleansing with an effective yet gentle cleanser will help remove the stains, as the oil applied previously aids in too.
- Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the body with any loofahs or scrubs vigorously to avoid any irritant reaction. After bath, apply moisturizer all over your body to offer it much needed nourishment
- Even after Holi, it is best to stick to a basic skincare routine and avoid chemicals at least for 2-3 days until the stains are completely gone
- Some people may experience skin breakouts post Holi celebrations, you can consider applying Aloe Vera gel, Lacto Calamine lotion and massage the area with ice cubes, this will help soothe the skin
- If you see cuts of wounds after showring up, clean the area with an antibacterial lotion; consult your doctor if you feel the wound is deep, or excessively bleeding
We hope these tips ensure all of you will have safe skin and hair this Holi. If you suffer from any reaction and the above suggestions don’t help, consult a dermatologist. It is best to avoid any self-treatment, escalating your skin problems. Lastly, be safe and have fun – wishing all of you a very happy Holi.
